Tony L. Mitchell

Tony L. Mitchell earned the Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering in 1987 on a USAF graduate fellowship. He is the first full-time African American to earn that degree from NC State. His dissertation won him the 1988 USAF Research & Development Award.

Dr. Mitchell has over 45 years of professional success, including 31 years university service. His talents earned USAF promotion to Lieutenant Colonel, university promotion to Assistant Dean of Engineering, the 2000 Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring, and grants of over $35,000,000.

Prior to selection to the ECE Hall of Fame, perhaps the most appropriate tribute to Dr. Mitchell’s outstanding career occurred when he was featured in 55,000 copies of the Fall 2011 NC State Engineering Magazine.

Dr. Mitchell retired from NC State in 2011 and assumed the title of Assistant Dean of Engineering, Emeritus. He continues to serve locally as chair of the NC State Lifelong Faculty Involvement Standing Committee, board member of the Association of Retired Faculty, and member of the NC Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission. National service include scholarship chair of the General H. Hugh Shelton National Leadership Center, ABET program evaluator and consultant to the National Science Foundation.

I grew up in Robeson County, then and likely still the poorest in NC. I never imagined being blessed with such a fulfilling career and life. Never stop dreaming but realize dreams are accomplished through perseverance, patience, self-confidence, some luck and most of all, faith. Things DO happen for a reason!